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16. Lupe Fiasco – Food and Liquor Lupe Fiasco’s critically acclaimed debut album displays the most impressive socially conscious hip-hop since the days of Tupac and early Nas. And also, with references to zombies, robots, skateboarding and taking the occasional jab at mainstream hip-hoppers with lines like “now come on everybody let’s make cocaine cool / we need a few more half-naked women up in the pool,” this record is in many ways poles apart from other hip-hop albums and it just sounds marvelous. Grade: B+
15. Lucero – Rebels, Rogues & Sworn Brothers In the dying breed of roots-rock American bands, Lucero returns with another great album. Carrying the legacy of Bruce Springsteen and Bob Seger but with a flare of more modern alt-country/indie-punk/southern rock attitude, frontman Ben Nichols’ raw and raspy voice well compliments the raucous twangy guitar riffs, ivory tickling organ work, and laborious bass and drum jamming of one of the hardest working bands in the business. A very strong album… not to be missed. Grade: B+
14. The Format – Dog Problems An album that certainly does not suffer from the “sophomore slump,” the Format’s second LP actually surpasses their debut Interventions and Lullabies. These guys, strongly influenced by the Beatles, the Beach Boys, Weezer and especially Queen, are not afraid to use a liberal amount of strings, flutes and pianos to achieve their signature sound. And lead singer Nate Reuss wins the award for crafting the best vocal melodies of the year. Grade: B+
13. Ghostface Killah – Fishscale Just listening to this fifth solo album from Wu-Tang’s Ghostface Killah can be exhausting. You’ll be thinking, “Dude, take a breath already!” Killah’s lyrical ability and endurance is mind-blowing. And using pertinent samples from old soul records along with beats produced by underground hip-hoppers like the late J. Dilla and MF Doom to match his incredible lyrics… well, this is simply the best hip-hop record of the year. Grade: B+
12. Joanna Newsom – Ys This album is not for everyone. Newsom is definitely one kooky dame. This album sounds like what Fiona Apple might record if she went off the deep-end and spent a decade in a padded cell. The songs are epic, usually stretching to over ten minutes, and, yeah, that’s right motherfucker, she is playing the harp. So, suck on that! Ys is a surreal fairytale with amazing lyrics that skirts the edge of sanity while weaving a whimsical narrative that stirs both fright and wonder. Grade: B+
11. Midlake – The Trials of Van Occupanther This second LP by the Texas group comprised of former jazz students has a lush, melodic and unique sound reminiscent of 70’s groups like Fleetwood Mac, the Eagles and America. Although they do employ a lot of analog synthesizers in a Grandaddy-like way, their lyrics hark back to desolate and moving tales of American pioneers and of frontier isolation, giving the album an almost archaic feel. Grade: B+
10. Maritime – We, the Vehicles Comprised of former members of the Promise Ring and Dismemberment Plan (both admittedly shittier bands), Maritime has emerged quite unexpectedly as a seriously excellent indie outfit. Although somewhat subdued and poppy, this record just sounds damn good and works well with returning listens. Sleeper album of the year.
Grade: B+ 9. Man Man – Six Demon Bag Man Man’s second LP certainly wins the award for weirdest album of the year. These guys sound like an insane mix of Tom Waits, Frank Zappa and Captain Beefheart. Six Demon Bag plays like the soundtrack to a demonic carnival. While at the same time, they achieve genuine moments of poignancy and profundity, such as in “Feathers” when they sing, “I know you need to find what you thought you left behind in a past life / I won't question why the only light that you have you gave away.” Grade: B+
8. Amy Winehouse – Back to Black Five seconds into this sophomore LP by Amy Winehouse and you will think, “What the fuck is going on here? How is that voice coming out of this little 23-year-old white British girl?” This is the best throw back to 60’s soul to come along in years. Finally, we have a neo-soul album that gets it right. Without the references to “rehab” and “fuckery,” you might think this actually came out in the heydays of Motown… Fantastic album. Grade: B+
7. Danielson – Ships On this seventh LP, Daniel Smith and the Smith family (made up of his wife and four siblings) are joined by dozens of other musicians, and the result is rollicking zany epic folk complete with horn sections and back-up chorales. Ships sounds like Sufjan Stevens on acid, and Sufjan even shows up on the record along with members of Deerhoof and Serena-Maneesh. Considered to be alt-Christian indie-rock, but it still jams… Grade: B+
6. The Panda Band – This Vital Chapter This debut LP by the Australian indie-rock band features some of the most creative orchestration of any 2006 release. Although they sound similar to the Flaming Lips, Modest Mouse and Space Hog, they also owe some of their sound to New Orleans-style jazz. The album plays like a vaudevillian indie-rock opera, full of dramatic changes in tempo and the full utilization of numerous instruments both familiar and foreign. Grade: B+
5. Band of Horses – Everything All the Time This debut LP is an ethereal mix between the Shins and My Morning Jacket. Incredibly moody and forbiddingly atmospheric, it’s certainly not the feel-good album of the year, but it’s not an Antony and the Johnsons album either. These guys are extremely effective in their ability to evoke a visceral emotional response. Grade: B+
4. Arizona – Welcome Back Dear Children This one definitely wins the award for “best album no one heard.” Not sure how the music arbiters outside of the blogosphere mostly missed this incredible alt-country psychedelic indie-rock album, but man… they neglected a real sonic nugget. Employing an army of instruments and a plethora of musical talent, Arizona’s debut LP is a shockingly solid album. Grade: B+
3. TV on the Radio – Return to Cookie Mountain This third LP album by the Brooklyn quintet far exceeds their previous work. Not every song is great, but the good ones are ridiculously awesome. They have a very avant-garde and eclectic style which ranges from jazz to new wave to trip-hop to balls-to-the-wall rock. Not every song is as accessible as “Wolf Like Me,” but repeated listens will yield a deep appreciation for their compositions. Grade: B+
2. The Hold Steady – Boys and Girls in America Although they’re a cunt hair’s breadth away from being a joke band, the Hold Steady’s third album is just pure fun. Front man Craig Finn has a unique half singing/ half speaking vocal style and incredible storytelling lyrical ability. They’re a mix between Elvis Costello, Billy Joel and Bruce Springsteen. This album is cool intelligent bar rock. So, knock back a couple of rounds and play it loud. Grade: B+
1. Tapes ‘n Tapes – The Loon This debut LP from the emotive Milwaukee band was 2006’s Wolf Parade’s Apologies to the Queen Mary. Somewhere between Pavement, the Pixies, Modest Mouse, Wolf Parade and even a dash of the Turtles, these guys are new indie rock royalty. Sure some of the lyrics don’t make much sense after scrutiny, but every fucking song on this album is killer and they put on an awesome show. Best album of the year. Grade: A- |
